Sunland Tribune

Volume 11 Article 4

1985

Incentives Helped to Build West Tampa

Arsenio M. Sanchez

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Recommended Citation Sanchez, Arsenio M. (1985) "Incentives Helped to Build West Tampa," Sunland Tribune: Vol. 11 , Article 4. Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/sunlandtribune/vol11/iss1/4

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sunland Tribune by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Incentives Helped To Build West Tampa

By ARSENIO M. SANCHEZ

Angel L. Cuesta

Tampa. Businessman decided to extend their investments.

Hugh Campbell Macfarlane, a canny Hugh C. Macfarlane Scottish lawyer in town only a few years, began assembling land west of the Not until Henry B. Plant brought his railroad Hillsborough River with the idea of forming across Florida to Tampa in 1884 did the then a company to help develop a new cigar small village make a unified effort to attract manufacturing area. (At that time all the area manufacturing. When engineer Gavino west of the river was designated as West Guiterrez suggested Tampa as a site to Tampa. It was not until later that the name Vicente Martinez Ybor and Ignacio Haya for and exact location of West Tampa were their cigar factories, they met a receptive, definitely established.) newly organized Board of Trade. As a result of a Key West strike in the fall of The community leadership agreed to put up 1889 the factory of A. Del Pino and $4,000 as a part payment on the land, and Company suffered the loss of tobacco on Ybor City was assured. And the town's only hand, causing the factory to cease operation bank - forerunner of the First Florida Bank - temporarily. Sometime between 1890 and decided there was a future here. By 1886, an 1892 the Del Pino brothers made their way amazing prosperity began to transform to West Tampa. The center of things in West Tampa-Main Street at Howard Avenue-in 1911.

By 1892 Macfarlane was offering to rounded up more cigar workers for his construct buildings and to donate land for factory, and they returned to Tampa with cigar factories to those proprietors who him. might want to establish their businesses in West Tampa. A. (for Antonio) Del Pino and With the opening of this first cigar factory in Company arrived about that time, the first to West Tampa, a section of the growing area accept his offer. was called "Pino City." When a fire hit West Tampa in April 1904, the section along The Del Pino factory at Main Street and Howard Avenue from Chestnut to Pine Howard Avenue was finished and making Streets was called Pino City. the first cigars in West Tampa by June 15, 1892. The survey of West Tampa made for A. Del Pino and Company failed financially, Macfarlane and dated April 7, 1892, shows and the factory building was returned to the first 120 acres he purchased Nov. 27, Macfarlane July 23, 1894. The O'Halloran 1886. It designates the major north-south Cigar Company, also a Key West firm, oc- street as Pino Avenue (which later became cupied the factory building Dec. 3, 1894. It Howard Avenue). Two other streets were burned Oct. 3, 1901, with Francisco Milian, given the Del Pino brothers' first names, the mayor of West Tampa, among those Gaspar and Antonio. witnessing the blaze (West Tampa had no fire department at the time). In August of 1892, while Gaspar Del Pino was visiting his sick mother in Key West, he Another factory from Key West opened its Alvarez (1909) and others. By 1900 cigar doors on the west bank of the Hillsborough manufacturing was Florida's leading River by the end of 1892, Julius Ellinger and industry. Co. This gave employment to hundreds of workers. A small community called "El Many small homes for cigar workers were Barrio de Elinche" - Ellinger's Community - needed near the factories. George Benjamin grew up by the side of the factory closest to constructed numerous $400 houses within Tampa's downtown business district. walking distance of commercial and employment centers. Close to this new cigar factory Macfarlane On a more elegant level, a contract was let and his partners financed a bridge across the to J.H. Drew on April 27, 1894, to build five Hillsborough River, the iron Fortune Street residences ranging in price from $1,250 to drawbridge. And to enable workers living $2,000. One of the homes was for cigar east of the river to commute (as well as to manufacturer Teodoro Perez, another for his help downtown merchants), the Macfarlane brother and still another for his factory Company helped start a streetcar route from foreman. Two others were built for downtown Tampa into West Tampa, as part manufacturers named Pompez and Napolis, of the Consumers Electric Light and Power who had factories off Main Street. Company system. This company already had linked downtown to Ybor City, so this made Within the cigar industry, an unusual it much easier to travel from West Tampa to occupation developed - "el lector" (the Ybor City. The founders and principal reader). These men read news and literature stockholders of Consumers were Vicente in Spanish to the factory workers. Highly Martinez Ybor, his son Eduardo, and regarded in the community, the lectores Eduardo Manrara. were paid by the workers who contributed weekly sums collected by an intermediary, In 1892 the building of new factories in "el presidente." The collections at times Ybor City was at a standstill. No factories amounted to $80 a week for the reader. had been started for several years, and no efforts were then going on to attract new In July 1894 the Macfarlane Investment manufacturers to Tampa. But with the Company was reorganized with a capital development of West Tampa, a new impetus stock of $100,000. The firm owned 307 lots was given to the cigar industry. Business situated near the business center of West leaders in Ybor City, not wishing to be Tampa. Directors were realtor William B. outdone by their young neighbor, began Henderson, Congressman Stephen M. offering inducements to new manufacturers Sparkman, contractor J.H. Drew, attorney also. Thus, the entire Tampa area reaped the N.B. Pettingill (Macfarlane's brother-in-law) benefit. and businessman George Rae Macfarlane (his brother). West Tampa's pace picked up in 1893, with establishment of another new factory, C.F. The Tampa Tribune, on Dec. 21, 1894, Arnsworth and Company. Gradually a commented, "The cigar industry of our city stream of important companies solidified the is the leading factor in our phenomenal industry: Cuesta-Rey (1896); Berriman prosperity. $75,000 was paid out for wages Brothers, which later became Morgan Cigar last week." Co. (1903); A. Santaella (1904); Pendas and Six of West Tampa's Mayors

FERNANDO FIGUEREDO arrived in West GEORGE NELSON BENJAMIN, mayor Tampa in 1894, a hero of the Ten Years War 1897-1901, came to Tampa in 1875, was a West in Cuba. Elected first mayor of the Tampa developer, bringing in cigar factories municipality, he served June 21, 1895-June 3, and donating land for a park which became 1897. After the war with Spain, he became the eventual site for Fort Homer Hesterly. He Treasurer of Cuba. was a native of Indiana.

FRANCISCO MILIAN was elected to nine 1-year terms as mayor beginning June 3, 1901. PEREGRINO REY, mayor 1909-1910, served A lector (reader) at Bustillo Brothers and Diaz as president of the West Tampa City Council cigar factory, he resigned in a dispute. After a 16 years. He joined A.L. Cuesta in forming sympathy strike and general outcry, he was Cuesta-Rey in West Tampa. Rey Park was restored as lector and as mayor. named in his honor. In 1913 he was decorated by King Alfonso of Spain.

BLAS F. O'HALLORAN, mayor 1917-1921, ENRIQUE HENRIQUEZ was West Tampa's also served as councilman several terms. A last mayor, serving 1921-1924, until West Key West native, he came to Tampa at age 13. Tampa joined Tampa. Born in Cuba, he held O'Halloran was a Selective Service registrar in managerial positions, then became owner of World War I, in later years with Lord and Henriquez Cigar Co. in 1917. A councilman Fernandez Funeral Home. since 1907, he was elected mayor without opposition.

Photographs were not available of Hugh Brady, mayor 1910-1912, or of James D. Macfarlane, mayor 1912-1917. In 1895 Macfarlane joined forces with other Men of differing national origins took part investors, including Lee Skinner, Philip in the governing of West Tampa. Cuban, Collins, George Benjamin and C.B. Bouton, Spanish, Italian and Anglos were elected to combining his 200-acre tract of real estate office and had a voice in the development of with his associates' 800 acres. Skinner the city. offered lots at moderate prices, with 20 Police officers were installed following percent down and monthly payments suited passage of an ordinance March 10, 1898. to the workers' wages. In 1901, Macfarlane warded off another Although the City of Tampa made several attempt to bring West Tampa into the City efforts to annex West Tampa, Macfarlane of Tampa by annexation. led opposition to a merger. Although Ybor City had joined Tampa in 1887, West Tam- Since no public school was started in West pa chose to remain independent. On May 18, Tampa until 1905, earlier education efforts 1895, a bill passed the State Legislature took place in private homes or in church creating West Tampa as a municipality. The sponsored schools. population was officially set at 2,815. Sisters of the Holy Name bought lots in The new city elected Fernando Figueredo as Block 56 of Macfarlane Addition from the its first mayor. Years before, Figueredo had Macfarlane Investment Company for $3,600 been a state senator from Monroe County. Dec. 9, 1895. The Academy of Holy Names He had arrived in West Tampa in 1894, a was erected on Albany and Spruce and hero of the Ten-Year War in Cuba. A opened Sept. 14, 1896. Sisters Mary bookkeeper in the O'Halloran factory, he Emeline and Mary Hubert were the first was a close friend of Jose Marti. teachers in the brick school. Average attendance was 46. The O'Halloran factory proved to be a place of significance in the Cuban struggle for First Mass was said in the second floor independence from Spain. A message with chapel Nov. 29, 1896. In that first year orders to start the revolution in 1895 was Bishop Moore came from St. Augustine and rolled into a fine panetela cigar by co-owner confirmed 11 children. Several months, dur- Blas O'Halloran. Gonzalo de Quesada ing the Spanish-American War in 1898, the managed to pass the cigar through customs academy was used as a hospital. in Havana, then taking the message to Gen. Juan Gualberto Gomez signaling the start of The first public school was built in 1905 on new fighting. Tampania between Pine and Cherry Streets. It was named in honor of Angel L. Cuesta, Figueredo led numerous collections for the because of his efforts in behalf of education, Cuban cause in West Tampa factories. After in 1911. The school continued in use until his term as mayor and following the end of 1979, and was demolished after a fire in the Spanish-American War in 1898, he 1984. returned to Cuba. There he became treasurer of the newly created nation. The St. Joseph Catholic Church began in West Tampa in the late 1890s as a mission of the downtown Sacred Heart Church, with the Jesuit Order in charge. A contract for money and build homes. In a reorganization $15,000 was let for the building of a plain, dated Sept. 12, 1912 shares were sold in a wooden structure at Albany and Walnut corporation at $1,000 each and capital was Street. St. Joseph Church opened in its new set at $75,000. Full name was Labor Society building May 3, 1903, with Father Benjamin For Building "Los Cien." Roydhouse as its first active pastor. The dedication followed on May 24, 1903. A member could pay as little as $1.75 a week or as much as he desired. This In 1964 new facilities were built at 3012 continued until he paid the full amount for Cherry Street, near Gomez, and the old his house. church was torn down. The bell from the old church was brought to the new facility. Near West Tampa's southern city limits, a section was developed that was called From 1895 to 1925, West Tampa grew and "Cacarajicara," for a village and tribe of prospered. Buildings were constructed to Indians in Cuba. This area was just south of house necessary educational, recreational today's Interstate 275. and benevolent organizations and in- stitutions. In many ways, it became a On Jan. 11, 1913, the Centro Espanol self-sufficient community economically and Clubhouse at Howard Avenue and Cherry socially. Street opened - the largest and finest of the men's clubs in the city. This was one of four The commercial district centered around the Centro Espanol buildings in the city, the intersection of Main Street and Howard others being the Ybor City clubhouse and Avenue. It extended from Howard to Albany theater, the Ybor City clinic La Benefica and Avenue on Main Street, and between the Bayshore hospital. Spanish Minister Walnut and Nassau Streets on Howard. Juan Riano Gayangos was present at the opening. The people who made up West Tampa could be clearly seen in the dedication of the Free Centro Espanol had been created in 1891 by Public Library on Howard Avenue, donated farsighted men who forsaw the need for by Andrew Carnegie, on Jan. 1, 1914. medical, recreation, entertainment and social American flags were intertwined with the facilities in Ybor City and West Tampa. Its Spanish, Cuban and Italian colors. Speeches cooperative social medicine plan was one of alternated from one language to another in the first in the United States. the program formally opening the library. Songs were sung in English, Spanish and The World War 1 (1914-1918) economy Italian. contributed greatly to the growth of the cigar industry generally, and there were 20,000 As West Tampa's business progressed, its people employed in more than 100 factories city limits expanded to include new homes, in West Tampa and Ybor City. During the and streets and stores took on a better look. 1920s the industry continued growing, with peaks in 1923 (when more than 500 million Around 1907, a new subdivision known as cigars were made in Tampa) and again in "Los Cien" (the One Hundred) was formed. 1929 (when a new record was set). Payrolls Old timers say it was given this name averaged $900,000 a month, rising over $1 because 100 families were to pool their million a month in top periods. Inc., West Tampa Business Center, Immigration laws underwent drastic changes Community Redevelopment Agency and the following World War I, and 1921 quotas City of Tampa's Office of Redevelopment limited the numbers of immigrants to 3 have recognized the need to reverse the percent of that nationality already living in trend. the United States. The Immigration Act of 1924 lowered the quota even further, to 2 These organizations, along with other local percent. The number of Spanish immigrants agencies, are looking for ways to revitalize was reduced to just 131 a year, and Cuban the blighted areas in West Tampa. Low immigration almost ceased. interest loans and tax credits are among the incentives they are offering to those wanting Foreign workers were virtually denied to rehabilitate older buildings. admission. Thus, the Act cut off the infusion of Spanish, Cubans and Italians that had Thus, incentives - once a means of bringing added to the vitality of various nationality in cigar factories - are now being turned into groups. a method for reviving a changed area still prideful of its past. West Tampa came to an end as a separate entity on Jan. 1, 1925, when it was annexed into the City of Tampa. Enrique Hernandez, last mayor of West Tampa, relinquished power at a banquet held at El Pasaje restaurant in Ybor city.

West Tampa was "handed over to the City of Tampa on a silver platter." Col. Hugh Macfarlane, in his speech, said, "We bring you a city in excellent financial condition. We have worked hard to build West Tampa and will work just as hard to build Tampa." He concluded: "We will make Tampa the metropolis of the South, as it was intended to be."

During World War II, many persons left West Tampa, but the mass movement of families from Ybor City to West Tampa more than made up the difference. At war's end, West Tampa's population had doubled, from 5,000 to 11,000. But while population grew, as the years went by, many homes and business establishments began to deteriorate and fall into disrepair.

In recent years, organizations such as the West Tampa Revitalization Corporation,